1993 Nissan Maxima Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about power window regulator failures, with all four windows affected in many cases, and about airbag deployments that occur with little or no impact as well as airbags that fail to deploy in a collision. Fuel leaks at the tank and filler neck, brake problems (including ABS warning lights and pulsating or delayed braking), and occasional unintended acceleration or surging reports round out the sample. Most reports in the sample come from vehicles well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Power window regulators fail

   • 9 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 7.0 yrs old
   • filed 1998–2001

   Owners describe windows that stop moving, fall down, or stick in one position, usually traced to a small plastic part in the regulator that cracks. Several complaints mention all four windows being replaced, some more than once, and rear windows that get little use failing too. Complaints describe replacement regulators having a metal-reinforced part, and dealers replacing the assemblies, sometimes declining warranty coverage due to mileage. Reported across a wide mileage range, including at moderately low mileage, with rear windows failing after few cycles.

   What to check: Operate every window, front and rear, several times and listen for binding or sluggish movement; ask whether any regulators have been replaced and with which part.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In the past four weeks we have replaced three out of the four power window regulators on our 1993 Nissan Maxima. The power windows, especially in the rear, get very little use. It has cost over $500 in parts and labor to replace these parts. Inoperable power window regulators cause a threat to the safety of the vehicle and its passengers.”

   NHTSA complaint #750334, filed 2001-08

   “I have had to replace all 4 power window regulators in my Maxima because of a little plastic piece that cracked. The part lasts just long enough to get beyond the warranty period. The little plastic piece is now metal reinforced in the replacement window regulators.”

   NHTSA complaint #713555, filed 1999-10
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag deploys without impact or fails to deploy

   • 10 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 7.3 yrs old
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe the driver's airbag inflating after underbody or road impacts, and in a few cases with no impact at all, with injuries reported from the deployment. Other complaints describe airbags that did not deploy in frontal or high-speed collisions, with dealers unable to explain the cause. One complaint describes burns to the driver's face after a deployment. Reported in collisions and underbody strikes at a range of speeds, with mileage not stated in most complaints.

   Recall 94V0070001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the airbag warning light checked and ask whether the recall for airbag sensor activation on underbody impact was completed; ask for any service history on the airbag system.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This was a front end collision that occured at a high rate of speed in which the drivers side air bag did not deploy. We contacted Nissan they didn't seem interested and sent some literature to us. We have a statement from the auto shop it was towed to in which the ower stated the air bag should have went off. The car was totalled and this was our 3rd Maxima. Needless to say this will sadly be our last. I'm very disappointed that Nissan didn't seem to care about the air bag not deploying. I hope to warn anymore Maxima drivers out there.”

   NHTSA complaint #746371, filed 2001-06

   “While travleing 35 MPH consumer was involved in a head-on collision , and the driver's side air bag did not deploy. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the cause of the problem. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #851955, filed 1999-10
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Stalling, rough running and charging problems

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 89,885 mi at 13.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2006

   Owners describe stalling at various speeds, rough idle and hard shifting, with repairs involving the power transistor, EFI relay and oxygen sensor. Several complaints mention repeated alternator replacement, fuse box and wiring problems under the dash with melted fuse metal, and poor battery and wiring connections affecting starting. One complaint links fuel injector failures to wiring harness issues per a dealer mechanic. Reported from around 75,000 to over 150,000 miles, with several repairs recurring over time.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about alternator, relay and wiring repairs, check battery terminal condition and charging voltage, and note whether the engine idles steadily or stalls.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car was losing power. Car would not start and my radio hasn't worked for the last year. I have had to replace my alternator in my Nissan Maxima for the third time in approximately 6 years. When I purchased the last alternator on 11/02/05 from advance auto parts. I received a printout that there have been several factory service bulletins produced by Nissan to correct charging system problems on maximas. I've called Nissan and they have told me that there is no type of recall on this problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10142219, filed 2005-11, 77,450 miles

   “Fuel system:fuel injector failure. Fuel injectors have failed several times in the recent past. Was advised by Nissan factory trained mechanic at Nissan dealership that the problem is in the wiring harness and that Nissan knows about this particular problem and has issued a secret advisory to their service personnel about this possibly being a fire hazard, but have not seen any public information concerning this problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10161853, filed 2006-07, 102,321 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake noise, pulsation and ABS warning light

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 134,000 mi at 12.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2005

   Complaints describe pulsating or noisy braking with a delay in response, and ABS warning lights that stay on with a soft pedal or a fluid leak. Owners report pads, fluid bleeding and hydraulic service that did not resolve the symptom, and in one case a dealer recommending ABS unit replacement. Another complaint ties a brake failure to airbag deployment without impact. Reported mostly on vehicles past 100,000 miles, often after other brake work had been done.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test braking from several speeds for pulsation or noise, check that the ABS light goes out after start-up, and ask about recent brake and ABS service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Nissan Maxima-1993-52000 miles-anti-lock brake failed(brake light on).dealer turned light off, added fluid, told me no problem .next day, and every day after , brake light stayed on. After a few days, brakes felt squishy. Returned to dealer thurs. Jan.23.03, who now said, need new anti-lock brake - $1250 . I agreed. New part would be in on monday, jan. 27,03; recommended I leave car, because not safe to drive- (will have been without car for 4-5 days).”

   NHTSA complaint #10003387, filed 2003-01

   “Service brakes make a pulsating soud when brake pedal is applied as if the ABS system is not functioning. I had vehicle serviced by two different Nissan dealership with no satisfaction. 1st dealership replaced front and rear brake pads.2nd dealership bled hydraulic system. Problem not corrected.”

   NHTSA complaint #10108242, filed 2005-01, 134,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaks at tank and filler neck

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 108,000 mi at 12.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2013

   Owners report a steady stream of fuel leaking while filling the tank, and in other cases a hole found in the fuel tank during unrelated brake work. Several complaints say the vehicle was checked against the fuel filler recall and the dealer said it was not covered or would not perform the repair. Complaints describe continuing to drive with the leak unrepaired. Typically reported between roughly 100,000 and 130,000 miles, often noticed during refueling.

   Recall 95V244000

   What to check: Inspect the filler neck and tube area behind the wheel arch for corrosion, and check for fuel smell or staining under the tank; confirm by VIN whether the fuel filler recall was ever completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1993 Nissan Maxima. While filling my gas tank up in jan 07 I notice a steady stream of gas leaking from the tank. I thought maybe I just over filled it and it happen several times. I took it too several shops and they wanted to charge me more than I can afford. So I don't fill it up anymore and pray each and every time I get in the car. I saw that my car has a recall and took it to the Nissan dealer in my area. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10186620, filed 2007-03

   “Recall campaign 95v244000 concerning fuel tank assembly: pipe filler neck: while refilling the vehicle consumer notice that fuel was leaking from the filler neck tube onto the ground. Consumer noticed this recall information on NHTSA website and contacted the dealer, who informed the consumer that this vehicle was not covered under this recall due to VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #10117096, filed 2005-03, 105,200 miles

Buying note. Check the windows, brakes, airbag warning light, fuel filler area and charging system carefully, and confirm by VIN which of the listed recalls were completed. Service records showing how the electrical and brake items were handled are more useful than mileage alone on a vehicle of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.